Post-Draft #SFB480 Interview With Scott Smith

The 2016 Scott Fish Bowl aka the #SFB480 is reaching its conclusion. Most drafts are either complete or in the final stages of being done. … That’s a good thing considering all the unique scoring rules (0.25 points per carry, TE-premium) and roster requirements (superflex plus three additional flex spots) we had to decipher. Mr. Fish does not make things easy for us.

Like we did pre-#SFB480 with our Zach Law interview series, we’ve decided to ask participants about their experience now that the draft is over. Our own Ben Cummins came up with the questions.

1. What was your draft strategy heading into the #SFB480 and were you able to execute it?

I was pretty intent on going QB/QB at the beginning of the draft with Wilson/Rodgers as my targets. After that I intended on rolling with the YOLO strategy I wrote about, but quickly realized my division foes didn’t value TE very much. With Alshon and Marshall dropping further than ADP, I felt like the value was too good to pass up and shifted gears towards a hybrid Zero-RB strategy.

2. What was your plan of attack for quarterbacks in this particular format, and do you think you will utilize a similar strategy in more traditional 2QB/Superflex leagues?

Because of the scoring format in the #SFB480 I wanted to establish a weekly advantage at the QB position by grabbing two top level guys early. The top QBs are pretty predictable in their year over year production and I felt like that would serve as a solid baseline of scoring for my team.

3. Did you prioritize one or more of the unique scoring settings/roster requirements in-draft?

I had intentions of being TE-heavy but it ultimately didn’t unfold. I stayed pretty true to my draft board. One observation I had with SFB drafts is I feel like many people overcompensated for the RB scoring settings. I was happy to end up with Melvin Gordon and Jonathan Stewart as RBs that I think should have a pretty secure rushing workload.

Scott’s Final #SFB480 roster

4. How balanced do you feel your team is? Is there one position you have an advantage at, and if so, did it come at the expense of weakening another position?

Ultimately, I feel the strengthes of my team are at QB and WR, but I think my team is more balanced than it initially appears. I took a few high upside backup RBs so if an injury or two breaks the right way I could land in good shape.

5. What pick do you feel gave you the most value?

I feel like Melvin Gordon is getting severely undervalued across the board in all formats. People are sleeping on Whisenhunt being back calling the shots. I expect him to be on the fringe of top 12-RB status. I thought eighth round was solid value.

6. Do you have any picks you regret and wish you could do over?

I had a serious mishap in round 12 I can’t explain. I pre-selected my picks and somehow ended up with Jimmy Graham. I have serious concerns about his injury affecting him similarly to the way of Victor Cruz’s recovery.

7. This is a safe space, vent all you want on this one: What’s your snipe horror story?

I was pretty bummed about getting sniped in the 13th round for Arian Foster. At the time he wasn’t signed to a team yet, but I had a suspicion he would end up with either Miami or Washington. That same round was when the Graham mishap occurred.

8. Even though the #SFB480 is unique in its scoring and roster settings, did you learn anything during the #SFB480 you can utilize in future drafts?

The #SFB480 solidified my preconceived hate for mock draft ADP. I think so many people look at ADP and being contrarian is so en vogue that it’s hard to trust or make plans off of it. While it still has some utility, I never make draft plans based upon it.

9. If you have any other thoughts regarding the #SFB480 that my questions didn’t address, go ahead and spill the beans now…

I would just like to thank Scott Fish for putting this thing together. I know it takes a lot of work and effort but it does a great job of bringing people together. I would also like to point out that I will be donating a toy in honor of Scott’s work for every one of my Uma Thurman division foes that finishes ahead of me… Look out, come Christmas time I may be doing some extra shopping.

Thanks to Scott for answering the questions and Ben for asking them. You can find Scott on twitter @ScottSmith610 and Ben @BenCumminsFF. Also be sure to send thanks Scott Fish’s way @ScottFish24 for putting on such an awesome event and don’t forget to donate to the Toys for Tots drive at fantasycares.net.

Ben Cummins is very passionate about fantasy football. He combines film watching and statistical research to formulate his opinions on a number of different fantasy football topics. He is dedicated to supporting his beliefs with important and necessary data. In addition to contributing to TwoQBs.com, Ben is also a contributor for both The Fantasy Footballers and Rotoviz. You can find him on Twitter @BenCumminsFF